How has prioritising your health changed your life?

[CeriMumsnet]

Whether it’s been about getting more active, changing your diet, exploring medication, or simply carving out time for yourself - we want to hear how putting your health first has benefitted you.

Maybe it’s the physical benefits like better sleep and energy levels? Perhaps it’s boosted your confidence or sense of wellbeing? Or maybe it’s even had a positive impact on your relationships or career?

However big or small we’d love to hear the ways your life has changed for the better since you made your health a priority. Share by 19 November for your chance to win a £100 VEX voucher (T&Cs).

Going to bed earlier, and prioritising my wind down after the children have gone to bed with herbal sleep tea, an eye mask, and not being on social media after dinner.

I am eating so much more fruit, I am a massive nibbler, so grapes and small oranges are always on my desk, I avoid red meat, and have swapped to greek yoghurt - for my gut and digestive health.

I've become more selfish with my time but in actual fact my kids have learned to amuse themselves better as I take some time out to exercise.

Honestly? I had high blood pressure and was referred to A&E as my BP was severely high in June this year. What a wake up call, I'm taking medication, we rescued a dog, eating healthily but our dog was the best thing we did, twice daily walks in all weathers - have lost 1.5 stone, my body is in the best shape its been for a long while and am now on HRT - feeling so much fitter, healthier and happier

Getting a walking pad to get my steps in when I cannot get outside - I have lost weight and feel better and am more toned than I have been in years.

I took up running in my mid forties and I feel so good! I'm fitter, happier and more energised. I started with c25k and have been running a few years now. I'm sure it's helping with perimenopause too.

Changing my diet - no red meat, lots of fish - a good recipe book helps with ideas for me to enjoy food more - I now use lots or herbs and spices in my food instead of bought sauces and too much salt. I have also introduced foods to lower cholesterol.
My digestion is so much better now.

I started small — better sleep, daily walks, drinking more water, and actually taking time to rest instead of pushing through burnout. Over time, those little choices added up. My energy levels are up, my mood is more stable, and I don’t feel constantly tired like I used to.
Mentally, I’m sharper and more confident. I used to think self-care was indulgent, but now I see it as maintenance — like keeping your car tuned so it doesn’t break down. I’m more present with my family, my work performance has improved, and I feel like I’ve reclaimed a version of myself that got buried under stress and bad habits.

As a busy mum of two little boys, I used to put myself right at the bottom of the list. Between school runs, work, and endless laundry, I felt constantly drained and short-tempered. Eventually, I realised I couldn’t pour from an empty cup — so I started making small changes to put my health first.
I began walking every morning after the school drop-off, even just for 20 minutes. I swapped my skipped breakfasts for something simple but real, like porridge or eggs, and started saying “no” to things that overloaded me. It’s amazing how those small shifts have transformed everything.
Now I have more patience, better energy, and actually enjoy time with my boys instead of just surviving the day. Prioritising my health hasn’t just benefitted me, it’s made me a calmer, happier mum, and that’s the best gift I could give my family.

Losing 4stone using Mounjaro and getting a treadmill has seen my high blood pressure drop drastically, my blood sugar drop from pre-diabetic to normal, my resting heart rate drop from nearing 110bpm on average to 60bpm, my aches and pains reduce and I just generally feel 10 years younger.

I've started cycling with the family at weekends and also use the Calm app for relaxation when I get a moment. Both have been great for me.

After cancer and son in hospital for 8 months swimming was great for my mental and physical health.

We relocated for Dh's job and the intention was I would also get another job which would have been fairly easy. It wasn't the first time I had done this, I am a trailing spouse. However, I took a couple of months to unpack and organise the house, get Ds into a nursery, get a feel for the area and what it had to offer. Then I realised my long term health condition seemed to have improved since the move.

I had already overhauled my diet, learned to meditate as part of the pain management, taken all the medication prescribed but there is no cure for my condition. We decided to give it another 2 months of me not working and basically because I could listen to my body, be active when my body allowed, slowed down when needed my health changed for the better. I stopped working and became a sahm. Extreme but it worked for us and we are very happy some twenty plus years later. It led to a calmer home, not juggling work and childcare and laundry and cooking. I now had a lot of time to get things done.

I started using weights about 6 months ago. The improvement in my range of motion and strength has been well worth the hard work.

Can you recommend a walking pad? There’s so many out there!!!!

At 36, I never imagined food could have such a powerful impact on how I feel — not just physically, but emotionally too. When I found out I was prediabetic, I’ll be honest — it scared me. It was the wake-up call I didn’t know I needed. I realised my choices weren’t just about numbers on a scale or fitting into jeans; they were about my energy, my mood, and my future.
Making changes wasn’t easy at first. I swapped the quick fixes for real food — colourful plates full of vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. I learned to enjoy cooking again, to actually taste my meals instead of rushing through them. The more I focused on nourishing my body, the more my cravings settled, my energy lifted, and my blood sugar found balance.
The biggest surprise? How much clearer my mind feels. I wake up without the sluggish fog I used to think was just “getting older.” My mood is steadier, I sleep better, and I feel more in control of my health than ever before.

Getting support from my family has been a total game-changer for both my health and mental wellbeing. When I decided to make lifestyle changes, whether it was improving my diet, committing to regular walks, or simply taking time for self-care, having my loved ones alongside me made all the difference. They cheered me on, joined me on walks, reminded me to rest when I needed it, and celebrated the small wins with me. Just knowing I wasn’t alone in my journey made the challenges feel manageable, reduced stress, and motivated me to stick with healthier habits. Their encouragement didn’t just improve my physical health—it strengthened my confidence, lifted my mood, and made me feel truly supported every step of the way.

When I was a single parent, finding time for myself felt impossible, but leaning on my family changed everything. 🌿💛 Their support gave me space to rest, recharge, and focus on my health, helping me feel stronger, calmer, and more confident every day. Small moments of care turned into big changes for both body and mind.

For me it was diet - I got into so many bad habits, snacking, ready meals and processed food, and I felt lethargic and was constipated a lot.
I bought some cookery books (pinch of nom) which are easy to follow and quick recipes, and I can batch cook at the weekends.
I love the dirty rice, hunters chicken is sooo easy and much better than one's I have bought previously.
I have dropped 20 pounds and feel and look better than I have for years - it's taken time but I know it's worth it.

Since taking up strength work at the gym with my fantastic PT, the pain from my arthritic knees has all but disappeared. This has literally been life changing. From struggling to get up and down stairs, I am now box jumping at the gym! All because I have really focused on strengthening my legs to support my knees.

Finally getting a smart watch and making sure I do at least 10,000 steps a day, either on the school run or being out and about - or finishing them off whilst I have a walk after dinner. Having 7 glasses of water a day.
I now sleep much better and by blood pressure is in the normal range.

Cutting out alcohol - which I thought I needed to unwind in the evenings - I did not - I was getting heartburn through the day, was putting on weight, and feeling that if I did not take a hold of this I would become addicted or become ill or get an illness which I may not recover from.
I now drink herbal tea and water - I feel better, my mood is better, I sleep MUCH better - it's all about wanting to do it , having the willpower and a swap which gives you comfort and health benefits

Definitely. I put my health and well being last in my 40’s and paid dearly for it. When I hit 50 I was very overweight, my knees hurt and my mental health was in the toilet. I knew my days were numbered if I carried on as I was and I didn’t want to be dead before I was 60. So I lost weight, got fit, stopped drinking and prioritised my diet and sleep. I still feel dog tired some days but I don’t feel like I’m slowly dying any more.

Prioritising my diet and focusing on protein has made a big difference, both physically and mentally. I feel more energised throughout the day, and my workouts are far more productive. Meals now feel purposeful rather than just filling, from protein-packed breakfasts like Greek yogurt with nuts to dinners with grilled chicken, salmon, or tofu paired with wholesome veggies. Even my cravings have gone, I naturally reach for nutrient-rich foods instead of sugary snacks. Overall, focusing on diet and protein has made me feel healthier, more disciplined, and in control of my wellbeing.

I started taking weight loss injections 14 months ago. I have lost over 1/3 of my body weight and I am able to do things I was never able to do. I’ve run 3 5k runs, I go hiking and I am able to shop in normal high street shops. I’ve never felt healthier.